Source: Extra Practice

The Northern Plains of India are known for their high fertility and dense population. What is the primary reason for this characteristic?

Options

Option A

They receive very little rainfall, making agriculture easy.

Option B is correct

They are formed by the deposition of sediments by major river systems like the Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra.

Option C

They are located close to the ocean, which brings fertile soil.

Option D

They are composed of old igneous rocks rich in minerals.

Explanation

The Northern Plains are extremely fertile because they are formed by the extensive alluvial deposits brought down by the Himalayan rivers like the Indus, Ganga, Brahmaputra, and their numerous tributaries. This rich alluvial soil, combined with abundant water supply from these rivers and a favorable climate, supports intensive agriculture, making the region highly productive and thus densely populated. Options A, C, and D describe conditions contrary to or unrelated to the fertility of the Northern Plains.